May 8 - Emergency Funding As A Result of COVID-19

Dear Students,

As you heard at last week’s town hall, Marymount is the recipient of federal funding through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds for Student Aid under the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relieve, and Economic Security Act). Due to new guidance from the Department of Education received on Friday, May 1, Marymount has had to shift its approach to the distribution of these funds.

We are acting quickly to disburse these funds to you, the students. Currently enrolled students deemed eligible per the CARES Act will receive funds to assist them with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding amounts were determined by student financial need as evidence by the estimated family contribution (EFC) calculation based upon the student’s FAFSA.

By accepting these funds, students agree to use them toward expenses related to the disruption of Marymount campus operations due to coronavirus (e.g. food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). Additionally, the IRS has announced these funds are not considered income; therefore they are not taxable.

Are you eligible and what action do you need to take?

Under the CARES Act, emergency funds are available to students who are currently enrolled in a degree program and who must be a U.S citizen or national, a permanent resident, or an eligible noncitizen. In addition, graduating students are not eligible for these emergency funds. Eligible students must have a completed a FAFSA to obtain aid.

Eligible students who have completed a FAFSA for the 2019-2020 academic year do not need to take any action to receive their CARES Act emergency funds.

However, eligible students who have not submitted a FAFSA should do so by Wednesday, May 20 in order to be considered for CARES Act emergency funds. To complete the 2019-2020 FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov

Eligible students should verify that their address on file at Marymount is up-to-date and accurate.

Can I receive any assistance if I am not eligible under the CARES Act?

The CARES Act emergency funds are available to students who are currently enrolled in a degree program and who must be a U.S citizen or national, a permanent resident, or an eligible noncitizen. Unfortunately, international students, DACA students, non-documented immigrants, and graduating seniors are not eligible under the CARES Act. However, Marymount has established separate funding opportunities for students not eligible under the CARES Act but who have been impacted by COVID-19. Marymount is working to assist those who fall into this ineligibility category. More details will be forthcoming, but at this time, there is no action that is required on your part if you are ineligible under the CARES Act.

Did you previously submit an Emergency Tuition Assistance application?

Due to the receipt of the CARES Act emergency funds, the Emergency Tuition Assistance has been discontinued. If you submitted an application for Emergency Tuition Assistance, your circumstances have been taken into consideration when dispensing the CARES Act emergency funds. If eligible, you can receive emergency funding under the CARES Act as explained below.

If you previously submitted an Emergency Tuition Assistance application,
o If you are eligible under the CARES Act and you completed a FAFSA for the 2019-2020 academic year, you do not need to take any action to receive their CARES Act emergency funds
o If you are eligible under the CARES Act and you have not submitted a FAFSA, you should do so by Wednesday, May 20 in order to be considered for CARES Act funds.
o If you are not eligible under the CARES Act; Marymount is working to assist those who fall into this ineligibility category. More details will be forthcoming, but at this time, there is no action that is required on your part.

Eligible students should verify that their address on file at Marymount is up-to-date and accurate.

Please note as indicated above, by accepting these funds, students agree to use them toward expenses related to the disruption of Marymount campus operations due to coronavirus (e.g. food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).

Finally, we would like to note how impressed we are with your resilience this semester and thank you for your continued adaptability. We wish you a successful conclusion to the Spring 2020 semester, and we look forward to seeing you back on campus soon.

If you have a question about receiving emergency funds as a result of COVID-19, please email the COVID-19 hotline (covidhotline@marymount.edu).